Leon County Florida assistance programs.

In an emergency, low to moderate income Tallahassee and Leon County families can get the financial help they need from charities, churches, or the government. Learn how to apply for a loans or grants to pay rental arrears or a security deposit. Or get free food, clothing, transportation assistance, and even government aid for paying utility or electric bills.

Low and moderate income families can turn to the Capital Area Community Action Agency. This agency can direct people to grants for bills, and also programs that can help people become self-sufficient over the long term. Contact them at (850) 222-2043 to learn more, or read below for more information on some of the resources they offer.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

This program will provide monthly commodities and free food distributions to almost 7,000 people who live in Leon, Liberty Jefferson, and Calhoun, Franklin Counties Florida. If you need some short term food aid, try this program.

Direct Emergency Assistance Program

Both Leon County and other government agencies sponsor the Direct Emergency Assistance Program. This will provide applicants with emergency rent and utility bill payment assistance, security deposit assistance, free prescription medications, transportation, health care, and food assistance to households whose members are working and are currently employed, but who are experiencing a financial emergency. The program focuses on those who are experiencing a short term crisis. Find additional ways to get medical bill help.

The Community Action Agency also has extensive information on low income housing and emergency rent help. The goal of many of their programs is to prevent homelessness in Leon County. Direct cash assistance may be provided in some cases, and case management and referrals in other.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) funds this program. It will provide low to moderate income people with cash grants to pay their utility bills. It will focus on those who are facing a disconnection or some type of disruption in their service.

The Weatherization Assistance Program will provide homeowners with free energy saving updates to their home. Their is no cost to the homeowner. For example, applicants can receive additional insulation, cooling system repairs, and more. It is also run by the community action agency.

Mortgage and foreclosure assistance

Leon County administers several programs that will provide both foreclosure counseling and cash grants that can be used to help pay a mortgage. Florida has been hit hard by the housing crisis, and this local assistance program will do what it can to help keep people in their homes. Learn more.

Utility bill assistance

The Winter Relief Assistance Program is being offered by the city of Tallahassee. This will help people who are struggling with paying their energy bills. The Winter Relief Assistance Program was created to help ease the financial burden of local families that are resulting from higher than normal energy use during the extreme cold and winter weather.

The energy bill assistance program will allow all residential City customers to carry over up to 25 percent of their outstanding utility bill, dated between Jan. 9 and Feb. 11, to the following month's bill, when usage will likely be less and your cost will be lower. To request the carryover option, customers must contact Your Own Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).

There are other options available to customers as well. In addition to the Winter Relief Assistance Program, qualifying low to moderate income and disabled customers in need of help can receive utility bill payment assistance through the Good Neighbor Program and also the City's Project Share initiative. Together these resources provide both weatherization and efficiency measures, such as heating and air conditioning system retrofits, water leak repair, and free ceiling insulation. All of these programs are administered locally through the Capital Area Community Action Agency (CACAA) through a screening process. Citizens may contact CACAA by phone at 222-2043, or stop by their office. Or click here.

Emergency assistance for bills and basic needs in Leon County

Tallahassee, City Utilities Customer Services Division - Customers of this utility company are sometimes able to work out payment plans for outstanding bills. Applicants need to meet certain conditions. The goal is to help customers with paying past-due City of Tallahassee utility bills. Other programs offer low interest loans for gas water heaters, window replacements, air conditioning and heating and other enhancements to homes. 435 N Macomb St., Renaissance Center, Tallahassee, FL 32301, dial (850) 891-4968

Leon County Catholic Charities, NWFLT, Emergency Assistance offers help for a number of basic needs. They include the following. Utility bill assistance (including propane) if the applicants utilities have either been shut off, or if the customer has a letter informing that utilities will be turned off by a certain date. Emergency rent help if applicant has an eviction notice. Blankets and space heaters for the homeless and very low income. Last is emergency prescription assistance is available as well. 1380 Blountstown Hwy, Tallahassee, Florida 32304, (850) 222-2180. Continue.

AAANF, Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. – Seniors can access a number of resources, including Elder Helpline, SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Senior Wellness, Companions for Therapy, Caregiver Support, and prescription drug assistance. Seniors who are 60+ can get help with utility bills after they have received a disconnect notice. 2414 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, phone (850) 488-0055

Big Bend Homeless Coalition - Helping tenants with an eviction notice as well as the homeless, the non-profit focuses on housing solutions. While much of the financial support is offered through referrals, they do operate rent programs for veterans, offer stabilization, and refer clients to low interest loans. Other support from the coalition in Tallahassee can include Rapid Re-housing and information on government grants, such as ESG. Learn more.

Urban League of Tallahassee offers services including the following. Note, all resources are limited, but they will offer referrals if needed or available.

Housing counseling - Foreclosure prevention as well as advice for first time home buyers is available. They also partner with the county mediation service.

Referrals are available to food pantries and hunger prevention programs in Leon County.

Emergency financial aid is an option, including for both rent and utility bills and deposits.

Career counseling and job placement is provided in partnership with the Florida Department of Employment Services.

Emergency funds for rental assistance is available from a number of organizations, such as local charities. While funding is limited, the Leon County agencies will try to help tenants apply for grants for housing expenses such as back rent. Other aid includes case management, or those that need a low income apartmen to reside in, they can learn about resources for paying security deposits. Find a listing of rent help in Tallahassee and Leon County.

Tallahassee Salvation Army administers Basic Needs Assistance. The program provides clothing, free groceries, meals, and other essential household items to individuals and families in need. Some very limited funding may help with electric bills. Numerous other services are available for Leon County families, including holiday meals, case management, and help for seniors. 5016 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304, (850) 222-0304, or more information Leon County Salvation Army assistance.

Housing, including low income and transitional programs are available for a wide variety of Leon County residents. Resources are for single parents, victims of domestic violence, the recently evicted and long term homeless. Individuals can get a place to stay, meals, and access to self-sufficiency programs. Read more Leon County transitional housing.

Free holiday assistance is available in Leon County. They are regional programs and support multiple towns and communities. Families, immigrants, the elderly and others can receive free Christmas gifts, holiday means (Thanksgiving and Christmas) as well as other support. More on holiday help in Tallahassee.

Human Services is the local government organization that administers many of the public benefits and financial aid programs. The working poor, low income, and unemployed are just some of the people that can apply for social services. Some of what may be available in Leon County Florida is below.

St Vincent de Paul Society – Two locations are in Leon County Florida. May have emergency funds for paying utility and power bills. Another focus is on meeting basic living needs, and this can include food, clothing, and products to help people make it through the day. Addresses are St. Louis Parish, 3640 Fred George Rd, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, phone (850) 576-6099 as well as 4409 Blountstown Hwy, Tallahassee, FL 32304, call (850) 559-2410. Or read more Leon County St. Vincent De Paul.

HUD and non-profit funded housing programs are available to stop homelessness. Tenants, families in poverty, the underemployed, and others can apply for grants, counseling, and legal advice. The services from charities as well as non-profit coalitions are wide ranging but all revolve around ending a cycle of evictions and poverty. More Leon County homeless prevention assistance.

ECHO, Emergency Services Program – Provides a number of resources on a limited basis. They include a mid day meal, financial assessments and budgeting counseling, debt reduction, and also furniture. Other resources from the ECHO affiliated churches may be free food, clothing, diapers, as well as small household items. 702 W Madison St, Tallahassee, Florida 32304, phone (850) 224-3246, or read more ECHO programs.

The non-profit Shelter, Inc. provides services ranging from emergency housing to meals and medical care from a clinic. The programs are for the homeless as well as Leon County families living in poverty. Call the Tallahassee based agency at (850) 792-9000.

Help or Crisis Line - Callers can learn about, and get referred to, the dozens of charities and government aid programs in the region. Learn about clinics for medical care, vouchers to pay for a motel for the homeless or gasoline for a job seeker, utility or water assistance, and more. Everything from financial aid to basic needs can be addressed. Call 877.211.7005, or read more Leon County crisis services.

Food assistance programs

Residents who need food in an emergency situation have options available to them. Below are two of the leading distribution centers in Tallahassee and Leon County Florida. They can provide the needy with assistance including meals, emergency food boxes, perishable items, and much more. For example, some pantries may also offer clothing, diapers, and similar type items. If you need additional locations of food pantries and clothing closets in the area, click here for more food banks.

America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend - Both partners with other non-profits, and distributes emergency food boxes. Dial (850) 562-3033

Leon County free health care

Individuals who do not have health or dental insurance, or who are considered low income and can’t pay their medical bills, can contact a community clinic or dental center in the region for free or low cost services. A few of the leading non-profit facilities are below. Or click here for additional community clinics.